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Apple AirPods: Answering Calls and Making Them

Last Updated May 1, 2021

The entire world knows about the Apple AirPods. These wireless earpieces from Apple have revolutionized how people listen to music. Now that there are no wires to detangle, convenience becomes the primary feature. AirPods as well as the AirPods Pro include state-of-the-art integrated touch controls. Each earpiece features beamforming microphones which let you answer incoming and make calls while you have the earphones on. You can also disconnect the call once you’re done.

For this article, we are going to give you a thorough guide on how to answer calls with AirPods alongside making calls and hanging up. You will be able to continue your conversation hands-free once you get the hang of it.

How to Make, Answer, and End Calls with Apple AirPods

When Apple uses the term “true wireless” to define their AirPods, they mean it. Just by touching the buds sitting in your ear, you can start and stop music, adjust the volume, and answer calls too.

However, how to answer calls with AirPods will differ from one version to another. As of this writing, four unique variants of the AirPods are available on the market, and all come with their special set of capabilities. Disclaimer: For all of these methods to work, you will need to pair the AirPods with a functioning iPhone.

Make a Call and Answer with AirPods Max

Place a call to a number: Say “Hey Siri,” and make sure Siri is activated. Now, say the name of the person you wish to make a call to: “Call Anna’s mobile.” Alternatively, press and old the Digital Crown. You should hear a chime; make the request after that.
Answer or disconnect a call: Press the Digital Crown.
Reject an incoming call and directly send it to voicemail: Double-press on Digital Crown.
Put first call on hold and answer a second one: To answer a new call while you’re already on one, press the Digital Crown. There are two routes you can take after this: 1. Press the Digital Crown to switch between calls, or, 2. Double-press the Digital Crown to disconnect the present call to revert to the one on hold.

Note: Volume can be adjusted while on call. Simply turn the Digital Crown.

Make and answer calls with Apple AirPods Pro

Make a call: Summon Siri with a “Hey Siri,” and say the usual “Call [NAME]’s mobile.”

Note: Either of the AirPods can be configured to call Siri when you press down on the Force Sensor. The Force is located at the upper edge of the stem. It’s easy to find when you have the AirPods in your ear.

Answer or disconnect a call: Press the Force Sensor. Either of the AirPods will work.
Reject an incoming call and directly send it to voicemail: Double-press on the Force Sensor.
Put first call on hold and answer a second one: To answer a new call while you’re already on one, press the Force Sensor. After this, you can do any of the following: 1. Press the Force Sensor to switch between the calls, or, 2. To disconnect the present call and switch to the held one, double-press on the Force Sensor.

Make and answer calls with 2nd Generation AirPods

Make a call: Summon Siri with a “Hey Siri,” and say the usual “Call [NAME]’s mobile.”

Note: Either of the AirPods can be configured to call Siri when with a double tap.

Answer or disconnect a call: Double-tap any of the AirPods.
Put first call on hold and answer a second one: To answer a new call while you’re already on one, double-tap on either of the AirPods. Repeat the process if you want to switch between calls.

Make and answer calls with 1st Generation AirPods

Make a call: Double-tap any one of the AirPods to call out to Siri, wait till you hear a chime and then make the request.
Answer or disconnect a call: Double-tap any of the AirPods.
Put first call on hold and answer a second one: To answer a new call while you’re already on one, double-tap on either of the AirPods. Repeat the process if you want to switch between calls.

Customizing Your Apple AirPods

The AirPods aren’t any generic piece of earphones that do the job just for the sake of it. No, they offer you the entire experience. That starts from incredible audio quality to personalization and tweaked settings. Here’s how you can set the microphone to one earpiece at a time or both. This only works if you have a 1st, 2nd generation AirPods or the AirPods Pro.

First, go to Settings and then Bluetooth. Find the “i” beside the AirPods options and select that. Tap Microphone and now you can choose an option.

Keeping it on Automatic would mean that either of the AirPods will function as a mic. Or, you can choose a specific one, like the left or right and only that will act as the microphone. Remember that when you choose Always Right or Always Left, your preferred AirPods becomes the mic even after you remove it from your ears or place it in the case.

As mentioned earlier, the AirPods Max don’t come with this feature. Instead, it offers other exciting features like Automatic Head Detection.

How to Get Apple AirPods to Announce Caller ID

If you get a call on your iPhone and have your AirPods are connected, you would typically have to catch a glimpse of the iPhone or Apple Watch to know who’s calling. But did you know your AirPods can announce it for you? Here’s how to enable this feature:

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Select “Phone” on the list.
Under the “Calls” heading, press Announce Calls.
Select “Headphones Only.”

Conclusion

Now that you know how to answer calls with Apple AirPods, your user experience with the iPhone and AirPods should be even better. Enjoy hands-free, uninterrupted calls all the time.

You can also read: What to Do When Your AirPods Sound Muffled

How to Test Microphone on MacBook

Last Updated April 29, 2021

You will face microphone issues while joining a call or a meeting. There is a built-in microphone in Apple MacBook. However, we also use external microphone devices. This article shows you how to test your microphone in your MacBook. You will find solutions to some relevant issues you will face while using the microphone in the MacBook.

You can also read: Your Guide To Singing Microphones

How to Test Microphone on MacBook — Photo by: dmitry-chernyshov

Setting Microphone Input

Before testing the microphone, check out if the mic input is on or not. You have to adjust the input to check whether it is picking up your voice or not.

You will find the apple sign on the top left of your screen. Click on that and find ‘System Preferences’.

Go to System Preferences – Sound – Input
Find out ‘Input volume’. Adjust the input volume as you prefer by moving the toggle to right or left. Moving to the right will increase the voice input level.

Check out the volume level of the built-in and other microphones also. Adjust those input volumes as you like.

If you are using Air Pods, find out the ‘Air Pod’ option. Adjust the input volume for that if you are having trouble. Do the same way for any external microphones.

While you are in that ‘Input’ screen, turn on the ‘Ambient Noise Reduction’ option. It blocks noise and inputs clear voice only.

Using Dictation

We will test the microphone using Dictation in a TextEdit. Let’s turn on Dictation.

Go to System Preferences – search for ‘Dictation’

Or, go to System Preference – Keyboard – Dictation

Turn on the Dictation.

Check out whether the voice control is on or not.

Enable voice control: Go to the ‘Accessibility’ in System Preferences. Find out ‘Voice Control’ and enable it.

Now you have turned on Dictation and enabled the Voice Control. It will allow you to run the TextEdit with your Voice Command.

Enabling Dictation will show you a floating button on the screen. It says ‘Wake up’. As long as it shows ‘Wake up’, the MacBook is not taking note of your speech. Clicking it again will enable voice listening. Then it will show ‘Sleep’.

Now open TextEdit. Turn on the voice control saying ‘Wake up’ or click the button manually. If the ‘Sleep’ option is visible, you can speak. TextEdit will take the input as soon as you start speaking.

If you can see the text here in the TextEdit according to your words, that means your microphone works! That is how you can test the microphone of your Mac.

You can easily use your voice command to type documents very fast. Here is a tip: Besides using the voice command, use your hands as well to control the keyboard manually. It helps you cover the mistakes.

If this way does not work, try turning off the Bluetooth. Go to ‘System Preferences’ and find out Bluetooth. Click the ‘Turn Bluetooth off’ option.

Some ancient tricks work every time.

Sometimes restarting the MacBook enables all the changes that you made. So, try restarting your MacBook. Keep your device in a tidy place. Make sure to clean it well regularly.

Issues While Using an External Mic

MacBooks don’t have a jack for an external microphone in them. However, they do have a headphone jack installed. Before working with an external microphone, you should test the built-in microphone first.

Get a headphone jack extension with both headphones and a mic option in it. Use the microphone jack for connecting the mic. Make sure to connect the headphone cable also. Without connecting the headphone to the jack extension, this way may not work.

If you cannot find any icon of the external mic in the ‘Input’ section you should take a look at the jacks of your extension.

Keep in mind that the port of the mic has to comply with the MacBook’s jack. Here is what you should look at.

Get the male part of the jack extension as TRRS.
If the mic jack is TRS, make sure the female part of the jack extension is also TRS.

If your Microphone is Not Recognized

Go to the ‘Security & Privacy’ tab in System Preferences
Go to the Privacy tab
Look for ‘Microphone’

Make sure the ‘Audacity’ option is checked on. It helps you to use basic voice editing and recording smoothly. Also, allow access of microphone to other applications where you are going to use, like your internet browser.

Resetting the PRAM/NVRAM

They take up a small amount of memory for the setting preferences. Resetting it brings the system changes to default. It doesn’t delete any application or doesn’t harm any data in your MacBook.

Resetting NVRAM or PRAM is very easy. It helps you troubleshoot microphones, Audio level, time zone, other default settings, and some external connections.

Shut down your Mac.
While it is shutting down hold down the following keys at once: Option + Command + P + R
Hold down the keys till you hear two apple chimes in a short period.
Let go of the keys after the second chime.

The resetting of the NVRAM PRAM is done!

We wouldn’t recommend resetting the SMC for your microphone problem. Because the SMC, System Management Controller has nothing to do with your audio system or microphone.

Final Words

MacBooks are quite expensive than traditional computers. While some users say that these are overpriced, most of the users love MacBooks for their ease of use and premium features.

Having issues with the microphone of the MacBook is pretty normal, especially with the amount of time we are investing in online sessions. If you went through the tricks in our list, the problem may be gone. If not, there may be a hardware issue there. You may want to hire a specialist for that.

How Much Do AirPods Cost

Last Updated April 28, 2021

Every day, new wireless earbuds from a number of manufacturers are released, but few are as common as Apple AirPods. Apple’s in-ear headphones are free of pesky wires and offer Bluetooth communication for fast compatibility with a range of smartphones, as well as charging cases to keep them charged on the go.

Product Description

Some models focus more on audio quality, while others prioritize convenience, design, and ease of use. Apple’s wireless earbuds have excellent all-around performance, distinctive styling, and a variety of versatile control choices, making them a favorite choice among consumers.

This is particularly valid if you want to use them with an Apple computer. While AirPod operates with almost every Bluetooth audio system, you can lose certain functionality, such as Siri and adjustable double-tap controls, if you use them with anything that isn’t an Apple product.

Product Pricing

There are three distinct AirPods models available, each within a different price range. The AirPods and AirPods Pro are the two main variants of the AirPod series. The regular AirPods with charging case are now $128.98 (originally $159.00), and there’s also a $149.99 (originally $199.00) version that includes a wireless charging case. The mainstay AirPods Pro version, on the other hand, costs $249.99, but you can get some main extra features, such as noise cancellation, for that higher price.

AirPods

View on Amazon

If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of all-around wireless earbuds, the latest edition of Apple’s standard AirPods is a good option. The AirPod have a simple white design and a basic fit. These plastic earbuds fit most ears easily, and the stem-like shape prevents them from slipping out. The overall design isn’t for all, but the design performs well.

The AirPods are operated by Apple’s H1 chip which works in tandem with motion accelerometers and optical sensors to detect when they’re in your ears. When you take them out of the box, they automatically attach to your iPhone through Bluetooth, making them a breeze to use with iOS devices. The AirPods can be controlled with your voice using Siri, and the earbuds also have touch sensitive buttons. The charging case will provide up to 24 hours of extra capacity, and the power consumption is rated at up to five hours of playing time on a single charge.

The regular AirPods, on the other hand, lack any sort of active noise cancellation. If you like AirPods that are best suited for loud conditions; you’ll have to pay a little extra for the Pro edition.

The AirPods (originally $159.00) are now available for $128.98 with a regular charging case. For $149.99 (originally $199.00), you can get a version with a wireless charging case that fits with Qi-compatible charging mats. If you buy the AirPods from Apple’s website, you can also get custom engraving for either event.

AirPods Pro

View on Amazon

Apple’s flagship AirPods Pro deliver a few main performance improvements that might make them worth the additional money for customers willing to pay a little more — particularly if you’re using them in loud places.

The AirPods Pro have the same H1 chip as the regular one, as well as Siri voice control and a quick setup procedure. The AirPods Pro also has active noise cancellation features with inward and outward-facing microphones, in addition to those features. This feature aims to reduce background noise so you can concentrate on your songs. You can also use the clarity mode to make it easy to hear what’s going on around you anytime you need to.

The earbuds’ physical specification has also been updated from the original, with shortened stems, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, and silicone tips (three sizes included) for an improved fit and seal. The earbuds’ drivers have also been updated, and there’s an optimized EQ mode for audio clarity that’s tailored to your ears’ shape.

Both AirPods Pro orders come with a wireless charging case as well. The earbuds’ battery life is estimated at five hours when active noise cancellation is turned off and 4.5 hours when active noise cancellation is turned on. The charging case will also have an additional 24 hours of battery life.

The AirPods Pro is now available for $249.99 on Amazon. When shopping from the Apple store, you can get a custom engraving on the shell, much like the regular AirPods edition.

What Happens If You Lose Them?

After the AirPods were introduced, the running joke has been that Apple will be laughing on the way towards the bank cos of the high maintenance costs if you missed a single AirPod.

If you only need a single replacement AirPod, it will set you back $69. You’ll just have to pay $69.00 for a new charging cable and case. I’m happy Apple is selling AirPods separately. It’s easy for one AirPod to fall out while the other stays in place, unlike wireless earbuds with a connecting cord that rests on the back of your neck.

The cost of a new package of AirPods (including the charger) is $159. Purchasing the three components individually would set you back $207. Individually, removing a single AirPod would be a cost-effective option.

And if you lose two over the successful lifetime, buying two substitutes is always (just) better than buying a new kit. However, as you multiply the losses by the millions of people who are expected to purchase a pair of AirPods, the additional gross income from single AirPods and repair cases over new units adds up.

They then offer a more cost-effective option, such as Amazon’s Echo Dot. Apple, on the other hand, has flipped the script on this type of product creation, as shown by the introduction of the AirPods Pro.

Concluding Remarks

Apple has changed the way it announces its Pro products, in addition to increasing the amount of products it offers. Apple, Google, and other tech giants have traditionally launched the full-featured app that consumers seek first. Take Amazon’s Echo smart speaker, for example.

The business begins with a simple product that has some but not all of the functionality that customers want, and then follows up with a feature-rich alternative that customers have been clamoring for all along.

You may also like to read: How To Connect Apple AirPods To Android Devices?

Where is the Microphone on a MacBook Pro?

Last Updated April 26, 2021

MacBook Pro is a great device to have because of its features and functionalities. With all the tools and technologies, some people even consider it one of the greatest laptops ever made. Many advanced improvements justify that it is one of the most outstanding products Apple has ever created. There are a ton of questions people have with the MacBook Pro. One of them is, where is the microphone on a MacBook Pro.

You might also be wondering about the location of the microphone since you’re here. So, without any further delay, let’s dive into it!

Necessities of a Microphone

First of all, let’s talk about the necessities of a microphone.

Whether it’s about an important meeting or a video call, handling important business, communication is an important aspect. The microphone allows capturing and recording the sound so that the communication doesn’t fall apart.

Creative musicians also require microphones to craft their audios and other musical phenomena. So, it’s quite impossible to deny the importance of the microphone. But there’s a twist to it; musicians might use internal or external microphones depending on their needs.

As people need laptops for various purposes, they don’t want any extra hassle with their microphones. Because, depending on the sound they want, they would arrange everything in the required order. Apart from that, knowing the microphone location makes sure everything is in order; so that it doesn’t cause any hassle.

Location of the Microphone in MacBook Pro

You might find it hard to know the microphone’s location in a MacBook Pro if you don’t look for it at the place you’re supposed to. As most of these microphones are placed to blend into the surface and are small, they are challenging to locate. Moreover, with every new MacBook design, the location of microphones has been changed again and again.

The microphones have been built in different areas of the laptop to ensure more comfort and utilization. The microphone in your MacBook Pro might be in different locations depending on the year or model. Since people own different models, we can suggest where to look for. The site of the microphone might also not be in the place you might expect it to be.

The microphones of the MacBook Pro are generally located on the bottom casing. So, if you are looking for it in the built-in camera section, you’re in the wrong place. In the bottom case, the microphones are usually alongside the keyboard or speakers. Instead of looking for the microphones in some other place, this is the right location to look into.

Nowadays, the MacBook Pro models have three built-in microphones. The microphones are usually placed on the upper segment of the bottom casing. If you carefully look at the speakers, the upper left part is where the microphones are situated. But it’s difficult to spot the microphone as they are tiny in size.

The speakers are where the mics are situated in the recent models. But the previous models from 2017 and below have had different locations, such as above the ESC key. If you still can’t find it, you’d have to look for them in both the lower and upper segments of the laptop. As these are so tiny, you might even struggle to find the mentioned locations. Keep looking, and you will find out the site eventually!

Benefits of a Built-in Microphone and Knowing its Location

Now that you know where to look for the microphone, it will be helpful to talk about their benefits. Knowing the location of microphones has its benefits too. We will combine them so that you can make the best out of it.

The built-in microphones are located in a particular place. That allows you to record audio without any extension of other equipment.
You won’t have to worry about losing them since they are built-in. That is unless you lose your laptop!
For video calls and online meetings, you can somewhat manage it with the microphone. But for better sound quality, a wired microphone may be required.
The built-in microphone also helps record unique sounds for creative purposes. By recording sounds from different angles, you can expect to have various types of sound.
Due to a fixed location, the built-in microphones seem to ensure lasting service. If you know its place, you can prevent any damage to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve sound quality on my MacBook Pro?

As long as you keep your laptop and the microphone area clean, you won’t have any problems. But if you notice any changes in the sound quality, you should have it serviced. Don’t try to fix things on your own if you are not familiar with the mechanism.

What should I do if I can’t locate the microphone?

There’s nothing to panic about if you can’t locate your microphone. You can check a bit more with the help of internet resources. If you still can’t find it, you can go to any Apple service center near you.

How can I turn off the microphone on my MacBook Pro?

Go to the System Preference. On the Security & Privacy option, select the Microphone on the side panel. Uncheck all the apps that have access to the microphone, and you’ll be set.

Final Words

MacBook Pro laptops are great for both work and creative purposes. Whether you want to create something or need to get your office work done, it’s a viable device to have.

But at times, people do wonder, where is the microphone on a MacBook Pro! As the built-in microphones are tiny in size, it might be a bit difficult to locate them. But if you know where to look for them, it will get only easier to find them.

Don’t panic if you can’t locate them; try looking at the possible places. Else you can seek help from an expert. All the best!

You can also read: How to Fix Lenovo Microphone?

What To Do When The AirPods Mic is Not Working ?

Last Updated April 26, 2021

AirPods are amazing. The quality of sound is unlike any other. So playing music and talking to others feels pretty good. Now imagine you’re in an important work call and suddenly, your AirPods mic stops working. You can’t throw in your pitch anymore. What a nuisance!

Like every other wireless product, AirPods are not without their flaws. Wireless technology can be fickle. Especially since the number of signals increases exponentially. This is why we’re here to help you narrow down the symptoms of your problem and find the solutions for it!

Why Your AirPods Mic is Not Working

There could be a multitude of reasons why your AirPods mic suddenly stops working. Wireless technology is unpredictable. Luckily, most of these problems can be easily solved. Take a look at some of the potential reasons why your microphone stopped working.

1. It’s not sufficiently charged.

The most common reason for which the AirPods microphone doesn’t work is low battery. This is a quick fix. All you need to do is put the AirPods back in the case and place it on charge.

2. It accumulated dust.

Yep, you read it right. Too many dust particles can interfere with the microphone. This way, your voice wouldn’t be registered properly. It typically happens when you drop one of your AirPods or leave them out in the open regularly.

3. There’s a connectivity issue.

Sometimes, the problem is a simple pairing issue. Maybe your device isn’t picking up the AirPods signal. Or maybe it’s still connected with the previous device you used. Either way, just disconnect and reconnect.

4. The AirPods are damaged.

This is perhaps the worst case scenario. The microphone will obviously not work if the AirPods are damaged beyond repair. You might need to consider repairing or replacing them.

Things to Do When Your AirPods Mic Is Not Working

Now that you know about the four potential symptoms, let’s look at the solutions. These fixes should sort out your problems quickly!

A Simple Reconnection

Honestly, the simplest way is often the most effective one. Try putting your AirPods back in the case and re-establish the connection. If your mic was working just fine a while back, it’s probably not a major technical or hardware issue. This is why repairing helps the problem get sorted. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Turn off Bluetooth.

Step 2: Place your AirPods in the case for a few seconds.

Step 3: Turn on Bluetooth and pair again.

This should do the trick! Or you can repair it from scratch.

Step 1: Remove the AirPods from the list of paired devices.

Step 2: Put it back in the case and close the cover.

Step 3: Press the button on the case for a few seconds and wait for it to light up.

Step 4: Pair your device with the AirPods again.

A Little Cleansing

When we say “clean” the microphone, we don’t mean strong scrubs. All you need is a dry, soft cotton swab. That, or a brush with soft bristles. This will help you clear out any dust. It’s best to clean the speaker mesh occasionally too.

Whatever you do, just be easy on the device! It should work in a jiffy. Where is the microphone located? AirPods actually come with two noise-canceling microphones. It’s that thin silver lining at the bottom of the earbud shaft.

A Surge of Charge

Remember how we mentioned it could be a battery issue? It most likely is. Especially if the mic was working fine just a moment ago. Put it back in the case and let it charge. If you think the battery runs out quickly, you can turn on autodetection. This will prevent the battery from draining while not in use.

Look into the Firmware

AirPods won’t work on outdated firmware. Here’s how you can check whether the AirPods are compatible with the device.

Step 1: Go to Settings and click on general.

Step 2: Press the About button and find your AirPods.

Step 3: Look up the current Firmware version.

Step 4: Update the firmware if it’s out of date.

Wondering how to do that?

Step 1: Leave your AirPods in the case near your cellular device (make sure it’s connected to the internet)!

Step 2: Come back after half an hour to see the job done.

Technology is wonderful, isn’t it?

Revamp your Cellular Device

Whether you’re using Android or Apple, restarting your device should fix your mic. AirPods mic stops working for numerous reasons. You often can’t pinpoint them. So if the previous steps don’t do the trick, just simply press your power button to get started.

Consult the Expert

When all else fails, you should reach out to an Apple Care center. You won’t be able to solve a hardware issue on your own. Their consultation should help you come up with a possible solution.

Remove Interferences

If you’re facing audio issues then there’s probably a lot of interference. Bluetooth devices require a strong, unwavering connection to function properly. If the people you’re speaking to are listening to a lot of static, you need to move into a different room. Static can be caused by the presence of multiple devices. It’s an easy fix!

Repair or Replace

When all else fails, it’s time to say goodbye to your beloved AirPods. Microphones play a huge role in headsets. So when your AirPods mic stops working, there’s little use for the device. Especially if you primarily use it for communication. Either your AirPods are defective or they were damaged. A repair or replacement is due!

Final Thoughts

If your AirPods microphone stops working, it’s simply unfortunate. If the worst-case comes, you should consider replacing them. We know how important it is to keep up your daily communication. This is why we listed all the potential solutions to this problem. At least one of them should resolve your issue!

You can also read: How To Connect Apple AirPods To Android Devices